Liquid deflecting baffle for an electric motor

ABSTRACT

A fluid deflecting baffle is provided for use on an electric motor to be used in an environment where liquid may otherwise pass through a vent opening in an endshield of the motor. The baffle is secureable to the endshield and extends in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening. The baffle includes a vent passage therethrough and has at least one liquid flow obstructing louver that extends across the vent opening to deflect liquid away from the vent passage while allowing venting air to flow through the vent passage. The louver includes a generally flat liquid deflection surface that is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis of the motor and at least partially faces a venting direction of incoming air and fluid.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/266,390 filed Nov. 6,2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electric motors having ahorizontal axis, such as open drip-proof motors, used in outdoorenvironments, such as to power a swimming pool pump. More specifically,the present invention concerns a fluid deflecting baffle secureable toan endshield of such a motor that includes a liquid flow obstructinglouver with a generally flat liquid deflection surface disposed at anoblique angle relative to the axis of the motor.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that electric motorsneed to be protected from outside contaminants in order to functionproperly. In particular, electric motors that are used in outdoorenvironments, such as open drip proof motors, need to protect theinternal motor components from contaminants (e.g., rain, other liquids,or debris), which could otherwise damage the motor. It is known thatcontinued exposure to contaminants, particularly water or other liquids,can cause corrosion and wear to the internal motor components (e.g., therotor or stator windings), sometimes leading to a premature failure ofthe motor. For motors that are used outdoors, exposure to water or otherliquids can come not only from vertical rainfall, but also from rainthat is blown significantly horizontally, spray from a hose, irrigatingsprinklers, and other such sources.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, however, thatthese electric motors, like many electric devices, generate heat duringoperation and thus need to be cooled during operation. One effectivemethod as cooling is to use a fan to force a flow of air through themotor in a generally axial venting direction. Consequently, ventopenings in the motor case are required, and the case cannot be entirelysealed from outside contaminants. In a horizontal open drip proof motor,intake vent openings are often located in the lower margins of theendshield of the motor case. A typical way to improve convection andincrease heat dissipation within the case is to use the fan to increasethe velocity of the cooling airflow. Conventionally, one of two methodsof using airflow to cool a motor is used, either a pressure fan system(direct mode) or a reverse airflow fan system (RAF).

In the pressure fan system, cooling air is forced from the front of themotor (the side from which the shaft projects) axially through the motorcase and out of the back of the motor. Conversely, in the reverseairflow fan system, the blades of the fan are reversed such that air ispulled from the back of the motor axially through the motor case andexhausts at the front of the motor. The reverse airflow fan systemcreates a more significant vacuum than does the pressure fan system,leading to effective cooling. However, the combination of a strongervacuum created by a larger pressure differential and the pulling of airfrom the back of the motor (often more exposed to outside elements) canleave openings on the back intake side of the motor particularlysusceptible to water or other liquid entry.

In a traditional reverse airflow fan system, a cover that overhangs thevent opening but is otherwise open below is secured to the endshield onthe back of the motor to insulate electrical components and to preventvertical rainfall from passing through the vent opening. Such prior artcovers have been satisfactory in some respects, but these covers alsosuffer drawbacks as they allow liquids that may flow in a generallyaxial direction (from sources such as those identified above) to passthrough the open area of the cover and directly into the motor case.Once such liquid enters the motor case, the liquid can condense on theinternal motor components, detrimentally shortening the effective lifeof the motor as described above.

The prior art does not include a cover for use in a reverse airflow fansystem that accomplishes both effective deflection of axially flowingliquid while also permitting sufficient axial flowing venting air toeffectively cool the motor.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a fluid deflecting baffle for use on ahorizontal axis electric motor to be used in an environment where liquidmay otherwise pass through a vent opening in the lower margin of anendshield of the motor. The baffle is secureable to the endshield andextends in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening. Abaffle secured to the external side of the endshield would preferablybecome part of a new cover for a typical electric motor, while a bafflesecured to the internal side of the endshield would reduce the risk ofliquid reaching a center zone of the interior of the motor chamber. Insuch a situation, liquid would tend to move to the radially outer regionof the endshield due to the centripetal forces created by the fan, andtravel with a low velocity in small gaps between the stator and the caseand exit the chamber through exhaust openings in the case. The baffleincludes a vent passage therethrough and has at least one liquid flowobstructing louver that extends across the vent opening to deflectliquid away from the vent passage while allowing venting air to flowthrough the vent passage and effectively cool the motor. The louverincludes a generally flat liquid deflection surface that is disposed atan oblique angle relative to the axis of the motor and at leastpartially faces a venting direction of incoming air and liquid.

It has been discovered that the louver of this inventive baffle providessignificant and effective deflection of fluids that could otherwiseenter the motor case unencumbered, while surprisingly allowingsufficient airflow through, such that the temperature differencecompared to a baseline cover without a baffle is minimal. The profile ofthis louvered baffle takes advantage of the ability of the venting air(which has a relatively low density compared to the liquid) to changedirection more quickly than any accompanying liquid (which has arelatively high density compared to the venting air). Contact by a mixedfluid with the louvered baffle, then, removes just enough energy fromthe liquid to leave only the gravitational acceleration component of itstrajectory, thus diverting its otherwise axial path into the motor case.This louvered baffle, therefore, provides a unique combination of botheffective deflection of axially flowing liquid while also permittingsufficient axial flowing venting air to effectively cool the motor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electric motor isprovided that includes a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis, astator spaced radially from the rotor, and a case defining an internalmotor chamber in which the stator and rotor are housed, with the casepresenting axial margins. The case includes an endshield adjacent one ofsaid axial margins. The endshield defines a vent opening therethrough sothat vent air is permitted to flow in a generally axial ventingdirection from outside the motor chamber to inside the motor chamber,with the vent opening being disposed below the axis. The electric motoralso includes a liquid deflecting baffle that is operably secured to theendshield in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening. Thebaffle defines a vent passage therethrough to permit air to communicatewith the vent opening in the endshield, with the vent passage beingdisposed below the axis. The baffle includes at least one liquid flowobstructing louver extending across the vent passage to deflect liquidflowing at least partially in the venting direction away from the ventpassage. The louver includes a generally flat liquid deflection surface,with the deflection surface being disposed at an oblique angle relativeto the axis and at least partially facing the venting direction.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns a liquid deflectingmotor protection assembly for at least partially covering a vent openingextending from an external side to an internal side of an endshield ofan electric motor, wherein the vent opening is disposed below ahorizontal axis of the motor and is configured to permit vent air toflow in a generally axial venting direction from outside the motor toinside the motor, with the assembly being operably secureable to theendshield to define an operational position. The assembly includes anendshield cover operably secureable to the external side of theendshield, with the cover including a body being configured to projectaxially from the endshield and extend generally radially coextensivelywith the area of the endshield disposed above the axis when in theoperational position, and a liquid deflecting baffle operably secureableto the endshield. The baffle is configured to extend in a partialcovering relationship with the vent opening when in the operationalposition, with the baffle defining a vent passage therethrough. Thebaffle includes at least one liquid flow obstructing louver extendingacross the vent passage to deflect liquid flowing at least partially inthe venting direction away from the vent passage when in the operationalposition. The louver includes a generally flat liquid deflectionsurface, with the deflection surface being disposed at an oblique anglerelative to the axis and at least partially facing the venting directionwhen the baffle is in the operational position.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments. This summary is not intendedto identify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Various other aspects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detailbelow with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway, perspective view of an electric motor withan endshield having a vent opening disposed below the axis, and with aprior art endshield cover secured to an external side of the endshield,with portions cutaway to depict elements of the motor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prior art endshield cover of FIG. 1,depicting in detail an overhanging portion of the body of the cover;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electric motor constructed inaccordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, with an endshield cover secured to an external side of theendshield, and depicting a baffle integrally formed with the cover, andthe baffle having a liquid flow obstructing louver and a liquiddiverting wall;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cover and integral baffle ofFIG. 3, depicting in detail a liquid deflection surface of the louverand the liquid diverting wall;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover and integral baffle of FIG. 3,shown from the opposite vantage point, depicting in detail a portion ofthe cover that is secureable to the external side of the endshield, thegenerally arcuate path of the louver, and an internal surface of thelouver;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial side sectional view of theelectric motor of FIG. 3, depicting in detail a portion of the cover andintegral baffle including the end wall of the body of the cover, theliquid diverting wall projecting therefrom, and the oblique angle of thedeflection surface of the baffle;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of another embodiment of anelectric motor constructed in accordance with the principles of anotherembodiment of the present invention and similar in many respects to themotor shown in FIG. 3, with an endshield cover secured to an externalside of the endshield, and depicting a baffle integrally formed with thecover, and the baffle having a plurality of liquid flow obstructinglouvers;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the cover and integral baffle ofFIG. 7, depicting in detail a liquid deflection surface of one of thelouvers;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cover and integral baffle of FIG. 7,shown from the opposite vantage point, depicting in detail a portion ofthe cover that is secureable to the external side of the endshield, thegenerally arcuate paths of each of the louvers, and internal surfaces ofeach of the louvers;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial side sectional view of theelectric motor of FIG. 7, depicting in detail a portion of the cover andintegral baffle including an end wall of the body of the cover, and theoblique angles of each of the deflection surfaces of the baffle;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, partial cutaway, perspective view of anotherembodiment of an electric motor constructed in accordance with theprinciples of another embodiment of the present invention and similar inmany respects to the motor shown in FIG. 3, with an endshield coversecured to an external side of the endshield, and depicting a bafflesecured to an internal side of the endshield, with the baffle having aplurality of liquid flow obstructing louvers;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the electricmotor of FIG. 11, depicting in detail the internal side of the endshieldand the baffle;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, perspective view of the baffle of FIG. 12, shownfrom the opposite vantage point, depicting in detail a side of thebaffle that is securable to the endshield, the generally arcuate pathsof each of the louvers, and the liquid deflecting surfaces and internalsurfaces of each of the louvers; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial side sectional view of theelectric motor of FIG. 11, depicting in detail a portion of the cover,and the oblique angles of each of the deflection surfaces of the bafflesecured to the internal side of the endshield.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes,certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understoodthat such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent tolimit the principles of the present invention to the particulardisclosed embodiments.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art electric motor 20is depicted that includes a conventional cover 22 that allows ventingair to pass through, but provides no protection against axially flowingliquids. The motor 20 broadly includes a rotor 24 and a stator 26, withthe rotor 24 and the stator 26 both contained within an internal motorchamber 28 defined by a motor case 30. A shaft 32 projects outwardlyfrom the motor 20 in an axial direction and a fan 33 turns with theshaft 32 to pull cooling vent air through the chamber 28 of the motor20.

The motor case 30 is generally cylindrical and presents an intake sideaxial margin 34 and an exhaust side axial margin 36. The motor case 30includes a plurality of exhaust vent openings 38 disposed along a lowermargin of the case 30 adjacent the exhaust side axial margin 36. Themotor case 30 further includes an endshield 40 adjacent the intake sideaxial margin 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the endshield 40 issecured to the motor case 30 with a plurality of fasteners comprisingbolts 42, although it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art at the endshield 40 could be alternatively secured tothe motor case 30, such as by welding, or be integrally formed therewithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The endshield 40 defines a vent opening 44 therethrough so that vent airis permitted to flow in a generally axial venting direction 46 fromoutside to inside the motor chamber 28. As will be readily appreciatedby one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure, thevent air that flows through the motor 20 in a generally axial ventingdirection 46 serves to cool the motor 20 from heat generated duringoperation. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent opening 44 is definedby a grate pattern on the endshield 40.

The conventional cover 22 provides insulating protection for variouselectrical components of the motor (not shown), and includes a body 48that presents a radially outer margin 50 and an axially outer margin 52.The conventional cover 22 is secured to the endshield 40 with aplurality of fasteners comprising screws 54 that extend through holes 56in the body 48 and into corresponding holes (not shown) in the endshield40. With the conventional cover 22 secured to the end 40 as shown inFIG. 1, the body 48 projects axially from the endshield 40 and extendsgenerally radially coextensively with the area of the endshield 40disposed above the axis. In this configuration, the body 48 presents anoverhanging portion 58 below which the vent opening 44 in the endshield40 is located.

As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, whenthe motor 20 is in its operational position, the conventional cover 22,and particularly the nature of the overhanging portion 58 in relation tothe vent opening 44, provides some protection to the interior of themotor chamber 28 against vertically falling rain and the like. As willalso be readily appreciated however, the lack of any obstruction in theaxial flow direction 46 provides an unencumbered flow path into themotor chamber 28. While vent air can flow along the axial flow direction46 through this unencumbered flow path and enter the motor chamber 28for effective cooling, water or other liquids can also flow along theaxial flow direction 46 can similarly enter the motor chamber 28. Asdiscussed above, the introduction of contaminating liquids into themotor chamber 28 can have a corrosive effect on internal components ofthe motor 20, such as a rotor 24 or the stator 26.

With attention now to FIGS. 3-6, an electric motor 120 constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention isdepicted that includes a cover 122 that allows venting air to passthrough and also provides protection against axially flowing liquids, asdescribed in detail below.

Initially, it is noted that, with the specific exception of the cover122 and new components described below, many of the elements of themotor 120 are the same as those elements of motor 20 described in detailabove. For example, the rotor 24, the stator 26, the motor case 30, theshaft 32 projecting in an axial direction, and the fan 33 are all commonto motors 20 and 120. These common elements are numbered the same inFIGS. 3-6 as in FIGS. 1-2 and redundant descriptions will be avoidedhere. Rather, it is particularly noted that the detailed descriptions ofthese elements presented above also apply to this embodiment as ifpresented herein. Reference is specifically made to the detaileddescription of the motor case 30 and the endshield 40, described in thepreceding paragraphs.

The cover 122 includes a body 124 that presents a radially outer margin126 and an axially outer margin 128. The cover 122 is secured to theendshield 40 with a plurality of fasteners comprising screws 130 thatextend through holes 132 in the body 124 and into corresponding holes134 in the endshield 40. The holes 134 extends through the endshield 40between an internal side 136 and an external side 138. With the cover122 secured to the external side 138 of the endshield 40 as shown inFIG. 3, the body 124 projects axially from the endshield 40 and extendsgenerally radially coextensively with the area of the endshield 40disposed above the axis. In this configuration, the body 124 presents anoverhanging portion 140 below which the vent opening 44 in the endshield40 is located.

The motor 120 further includes a fluid deflecting baffle 150 secured tothe external side 138 of the endshield 40 in a partial coveringrelationship with the vent opening 44. The baffle 150 defines a ventpassage 152 therethrough, which permits air to communicate with the ventopening 44 in the endshield 40. With the baffle 150 secured to theendshield 40 as shown in FIG. 3, the vent passage 152 is disposed belowthe axis.

The baffle 150 includes a liquid flow obstructing louver 154 thatextends across the vent passage 152 to deflect liquid flowing at leastpartially in the axial flow direction 46 away from the vent passage 152.The louver 154 includes a generally flat liquid deflection surface 156,which is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis and at leastpartially faces the axial flow direction 46.

In the illustrated embodiment, the louver 154 extends across the ventpassage 152 in a generally arcuate path. More specifically, the arcuatepath of the louver 154 illustrated defines a generally circular arc witha center of curvature disposed on the axis of the motor 120. As shown inFIG. 6, the deflection surface 156 of the louver 154 is angledapproximately forty-five degrees offset relative to the horizontal axisof the motor 120. As will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art upon review of this disclosure, this particular angle of thedeflection surface 156 is by example only, as the deflection surface ofan alternative louver may be angled differently, so long as it isoblique, without departing from the teachings of the present invention.It will also be understood that additional louvers could be incorporatedinto an alternative baffle without departing from the teachings of thepresent invention. One such alternative baffle is described in detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

It is noted that the angle of the deflection surface 156 of the louver154 of the preferred embodiment was based on the airflow velocity in thelouvered area of the vent passage 152, and was determined by thecombination of the particular internal fan 33 used in the motor 120 andthe distance between the fan 33 and the vent opening 44 of the endshield40. The total pressure head created by the internal fan 33 at thelocation of the louver 154 was considered to be the guiding parameter insizing both the louver 154 and the virtual cross-sectional area of thevent passage 152 through the baffle 150. As will be readily appreciatedby one of ordinary skill in the art, the angle of any louver surfaceused will enlarge or reduce this virtual cross-sectional area seen byany incoming flow of fluid.

For example, a more aggressively angled louver surface (not shown), suchas a louver surface angled more than forty-five degrees offset relativeto the horizontal axis of the motor, would increase the availablevirtual cross-sectional area seen by the incoming fluid, thus providingless restriction against any incoming fluid. Such an aggressively angledlouver surface would provide an increased velocity and flow rate of theventing airflow, however the larger available virtual cross-sectionalarea would detrimentally limit the amount of protection provided againstliquid entering the motor 120. Consequently, a balance must be struckbetween the number of louver surfaces incorporated into a baffle, andthe angle of each louver, in order to minimize the airflow losses(minimizing any penalty in convention effectiveness, but providinglittle blockage of liquid), while still removing enough energy from theliquid to adequately protect the motor. While one preferred embodimentis described herein, alternative louvers designed using specificparameters of other motors are also clearly within the ambit of thepresent invention.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3-6, the baffle 150 of the illustratedembodiment is integrally formed with the body 124 of the cover 122, withthe overhanging portion 140 of the body 124 being disposed above thebaffle 150. With the integration of the baffle 150 and the body 124 intoa single unit, it is noted that the vent passage 152 in the baffle 150defines the only opening for airflow through the cover 122 in the axialflow direction 46. Preferably, the baffle 150 and the body 124 of thecover 122 are formed of plastic, although other suitable materials mayalternatively be used.

The baffle 150 also includes an end wall 158 that is generallytransverse to the axis and generally parallel to the axial margin 128 ofthe body 124. The end wall 158 is inset relative to the axial margin128. The baffle 150 further includes an axially projecting liquiddiverting wall 160 that is disposed in an overhanging relationship tothe vent passage 152, such that any liquid flowing downwardly along thebody 124 is diverted away from the vent passage 152. As shownparticularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid diverting wall 160 extendsalong a generally arcuate path with a center of curvature disposed belowthe vent passage 152. The liquid diverting wall 160 presents lowermostterminal ends 162, 164, with the vent passage 152 being defined betweenthe terminal ends 162, 164. As shown in FIG. 3, the baffle 150 presentsliquid flow channels 166, 168 defined between the liquid diverting wall160 and the overhanging portion 140 of the body 124 adjacent theterminal ends 162, 164.

It is believed that the presence of the axially projecting liquiddiverting wall 160 helps to consolidate any small droplets of liquidthat may collect on the body 124 into larger drops of liquid that willfall vertically downward and away from the vent passage 152 due to theforce of gravity on the larger drops. This formation of larger drops offluid prevents the small droplets from passing in front of the ventpassage 152 and being undesirably pulled into the motor case 30. It isalso noted that an axially projecting portion of the louver 154 could beincorporated to provide similar protection against small droplets ofliquid that may condense on the louver 154 from passing in front of thevent passage 152 and being undesirably pulled into the motor case 30.Such an incorporation is clearly contemplated by the scope of thepresent invention, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art upon review of this disclosure.

As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, whenthe motor 120 is in its operational position, the cover 122 withintegral baffle 150 provides protection to the interior of the motorchamber 28, not only against vertically falling rain, but also againstany liquids flowing in the axial flow direction 46, as the louver 154provides an obstruction to such liquid flow. It is noted that theconfiguration of the louver 154 is such that any air flowing in theaxial flow direction 46 will also contact with the liquid deflectionsurface 156, but will retain sufficient energy to flow around the louver154 and through the motor chamber 28 for adequate ventilation purposes.It is noted that while multiple embodiments of liquid deflecting bafflesare within the ambit of the present invention, some of which aredescribed in detail below, it is believed that the embodiment of theintegral baffle 150 described above provides a particularly advantageoussynergy of effectively blocking undesirable liquid flow into the motorcase 30 while also providing sufficient venting airflow for coolingpurposes.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-10, an electric motor 220 constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention is depictedthat includes a cover 222 that allows venting air to pass through andalso provides protection against axially flowing liquids, as describedin detail below.

Initially, it is noted that, with the specific exception of the cover222 and new components described below, many of the elements of themotor 220 are the same as those elements of motors 20 and 120 describedin detail above. For example, the rotor 24, the stator 26, the motorcase 30, the shaft 32 projecting in an axial direction, and the fan 33are all common to motors 20, 120, and 220. These common elements arenumbered the same in FIGS. 7-10 as in FIGS. 1-2 and redundantdescriptions will be avoided here. Rather, it is particularly noted thatthe detailed descriptions of these elements presented above also applyto this embodiment as if presented herein. Reference is specificallymade to the detailed description of the motor case 30 and the endshield40, described in the preceding paragraphs.

The cover 222 includes a body 224 that presents a radially outer margin226 and an axially outer margin 228. The cover 222 is secured to theendshield 40 with a plurality of fasteners comprising screws 230 thatextend through holes 232 in the body 224 and into corresponding holes234 in the endshield 40. The holes 234 extends through the endshield 40between an internal side 236 and an external side 238. With the cover222 secured to the external side 238 of the endshield 40 as shown inFIG. 7, the body 224 projects axially from the endshield 40 and extendsgenerally radially coextensively with the area of the endshield 40disposed above the axis. In this configuration, the body 224 presents anoverhanging portion 240 below which the vent opening 44 in the endshield40 is located.

The motor 220 further includes a fluid deflecting baffle 250 secured tothe external side 238 of the endshield 40 in a partial coveringrelationship with the vent opening 44. The baffle 250 defines a ventpassage 252 therethrough, which permits air to communicate with the ventopening 44 in the endshield 40. With the baffle 250 secured to theendshield 40 and shown in FIG. 7, the vent passage 252 is disposed belowthe axis.

The baffle 250 includes a pair of liquid flow obstructing louvers 254,256 that each extend across the vent passage 252 to deflect liquidflowing at least partially in the axial flow direction 46 away from thevent passage 252. Each of the louvers 254, 256 includes a generally flatliquid deflection surface 258, 260, which is disposed at an obliqueangle relative to the axis and at least partially faces the axial flowdirection 46. It is noted that the oblique angles of the pair of louvers254, 256 are different, although such angles could be the same acrossboth louvers without departing from the teachings of the presentinvention.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the louvers 254, 256 extendsacross the vent passage 252 in a generally arcuate path. Morespecifically, each of the arcuate paths of the louvers 254, 256 asillustrated defines a generally circular arc with a center of curvaturedisposed on the axis of the motor 220, such that the arcuate paths areconcentric. As shown in FIG. 10, the deflection surface 258 of thelouver 254 is angled approximately forty-five degrees offset relative tothe horizontal axis of the motor 220, while the deflection surface 260of the louver 256 is angled approximately ten degrees offset relative tothe horizontal axis of the motor 220. As will be readily understood byone of ordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure, theseparticular angles of the deflection surfaces 258, 260 is by exampleonly, as the deflection surfaces of alternative louvers maybe angleddifferently, so long each is oblique, without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

The baffle 250 of the illustrated embodiment is integrally formed withthe body 224 of the cover 222, with the overhanging portion 240 of thebody 224 being disposed above the baffle 250. With the integration ofthe baffle 250 and the body 224 into a single unit, it is noted that thevent passage 252 in the baffle 250 defines the only opening for airflowthrough the cover 222 in the axial flow direction 46. Preferably, thebaffle 250 and the body 224 of the cover 222 are formed of plastic,although other suitable materials may alternatively be used.

As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, whenthe motor 220 is in its operational position, the cover 222 withintegral baffle 250 provides protection to the interior of the motorchamber 28, not only against vertically falling rain, but also againstany liquids flowing in the axial flow direction 46 as the louvers 254,256 provide obstructions to such liquid flow. It is particularly notedthat the relatively shallow angle of the deflection surface 260 mayprovide particularly effective additional protection against splashingliquids that could otherwise bounce off of the ground and into the motorchamber 28. It is also noted that the configuration of the louvers 254,256 is such that any air flowing in the axial flow direction 46 willalso contact with the liquid deflection surfaces 258, 260, but willretain sufficient energy to flow around the louvers 254, 256 and throughthe motor chamber 28 for adequate ventilation purposes.

Finally, with attention to FIGS. 11-14, an electric motor 320constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention is depicted that includes the conventional cover 22 thatallows venting air to pass through, yet also provides protection againstaxially flowing liquids, as described in detail below.

Initially, it is noted that, with the specific exception of newcomponents described below, many of the elements of the motor 320 arethe same as those elements of motors 20, 120, and 220 described indetail above. For example, the rotor 24, the stator 26, the motor case30, the shaft 32 projecting in an axial direction, and the fan 33 areall common to motors 20, 120, 220, and 320. These common elements arenumbered the same in FIGS. 11-14 as in FIGS. 1-2 and redundantdescriptions will be avoided here. Rather, it is particularly noted thatthe detailed descriptions of these elements presented above also applyto this embodiment as if presented herein. Reference is specificallymade to the detailed description of the motor case 30 and the endshield40, described in the preceding paragraphs.

The conventional cover 22 is secured to the endshield 40 with aplurality of fasteners comprising screws 330 that extend through holes56 in the body 24 and into corresponding holes 334 in the endshield 40.The holes 334 extends through the endshield 40 between an internal side336 and an external side 338. With the conventional cover 22 secured tothe external side 338 of the endshield 40 as shown in FIG. 11, the body24 projects axially from the endshield 40 and extends generally radiallycoextensively with the area of the endshield 40 disposed above the axis.

The motor 320 further includes a fluid deflecting baffle 350 secured tothe internal side 336 of the endshield 40 in a partial coveringrelationship with the vent opening 44. The baffle 350 defines a ventpassage 352 therethrough, which permits air to communicate with the ventopening 44 in the endshield 40. With the baffle 350 secured to theendshield 40 and shown in FIG. 11, the vent passage 352 is disposedbelow the axis.

The baffle 350 includes a plurality of three liquid flow obstructinglouvers 354, 356, 358 that each extend across the vent passage 352 todeflect liquid flowing at least partially in the axial flow direction 46away from the vent passage 352. Each of the louvers 354, 356, 358includes a generally flat liquid deflection surface 360, 362, 364, whichis disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis and at leastpartially faces the axial flow direction 46. It is noted that theoblique angles of the plurality of louvers 354, 356, 358 are allidentical, although such angles could be different across a plurality oflouvers without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The baffle 350 presents a radially innermost margin 366 with an axiallyprojecting boss 368 disposed centrally therealong. A hole 370 is definedaxially through the boss 368. The baffle 350 is secured to the internalside 336 of the endshield 40 with a fastener comprising a screw 372 thatextends through hole 370 and into the corresponding hole 334 in theendshield 40, although other suitable securement means (e.g., adhesiveor integral formation of the baffle with the endshield) mayalternatively be used. The baffle 350 further presents radiallyextending uppermost margins 374, 376, with each margin 374, 376including a pair of axially outwardly projecting spacers 378, 380 thatlocate the baffle 350 adjacent to the internal side 336 of the endshield40. The baffle 350 also includes a pair of radially inwardly projectingfingers 382, 384 disposed along the uppermost ends of the radiallyinnermost margin 366. Each pair of fingers 382, 384 defines a radiallyoutwardly extending recess 386 therebetween. Each recess 386 receives anaxially inwardly projecting member 388 of the endshield 40 when thebaffle 350 is secured thereto. Preferably, the baffle 350 is formed ofplastic, although other suitable materials may alternatively be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the louvers 354, 356, 358 extendsacross the vent passage 352 in a generally arcuate path. Morespecifically, each of the arcuate paths of the louvers 354, 356, 358illustrated defines a generally circular arc with a center of curvaturedisposed on the axis of the motor 320, such that the arcuate paths areconcentric. As shown in FIG. 14, the each deflection surface 360, 362,364 of the respective louvers 354, 356, 358 is angled approximatelythirty degrees offset relative to the horizontal axis of the motor 320.As will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreview of this disclosure, these particular angles of the deflectionsurfaces 360, 362, 364 is by example only, as the deflection surfaces ofalternative louvers maybe angled differently so long each is obliquewithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

It is noted that the angle of each of the deflection surfaces 360, 362,364 of the louvers 354, 35, 358 of this embodiment was based on theairflow velocity in the louvered area of the vent passage 352, and wasdetermined by the combination of the particular internal fan 33 used inthe motor 320 and the distance between the fan 33 and the vent opening44 of the endshield 40. These design parameters were used in furtheranceof similar goals as those described above, namely to prevent incomingliquid flow from turning into the center of the motor 320 while stillallowing the venting airflow to reach the center of the motor 320, wherethe negative pressure is highest. In the embodiment described herein,the goal of realizing minimal penalty in cooling effect compared to abaseline motor without a deflecting baffle is achieved. It will bereadily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, however, thatalternative louvers designed using specific parameters of other motorsare also clearly within the ambit of the present invention.

The baffle 350 of the illustrated embodiment, unlike the baffles of someprevious embodiments, is a separate and distinct piece from theconventional cover 22. The overhanging portion 58 of the body 48 isdisposed above the baffle 350 so that the combination of theconventional cover 22 and the baffle 350 provides protection to theinterior of the motor chamber 28, not only against vertically fallingrain, but also against any liquids flowing in the axial flow direction46 as the louvers 354, 356, 358 provide obstructions to such liquidflow. It is noted that the configuration of the louvers 354, 356, 358 issuch that any air flowing in the axial flow direction 46 will alsocontact with the liquid deflection surfaces 360, 362, 364, but willretain sufficient energy to flow around the louvers 354, 356, 358 andthrough the motor chamber 28 for adequate ventilation purposes.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and access the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A fluid deflecting motor protection assembly for at least partiallycovering a vent opening extending from an external side to an internalside of an endshield of an electric motor, wherein the vent opening isdisposed below a horizontal axis of the motor and is configured topermit vent air to flow in a generally axial venting direction fromoutside the motor to inside the motor, with the assembly being operablysecureable to the endshield to define an operational position, saidassembly comprising: an endshield cover operably secureable to theexternal side of the endshield, said cover including a body beingconfigured to project axially from the endshield and extend generallyradially coextensively with the area of the endshield disposed above theaxis when in the operational position; and a fluid deflecting baffleoperably secureable to the endshield, said baffle being configured toextend in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening when inthe operational position, said baffle defining a vent passagetherethrough, said baffle including at least one liquid flow obstructinglouver extending across the vent passage to deflect liquid flowing atleast partially in the venting direction away from the vent passage whenin the operational position, said louver including a generally flatliquid deflection surface, said deflection surface being disposed at anoblique angle relative to the axis and at least partially facing theventing direction when the baffle is in the operational position.
 2. Theassembly as claimed in claim 1, said louver extending across the ventpassage in a generally arcuate path.
 3. The assembly as claimed in claim2, said arcuate path defining a generally circular arc having a centerof curvature disposed on the axis when the baffle is in the operationalposition.
 4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, said deflection surfacebeing angled approximately 45 degrees offset relative to the axis whenthe baffle is in the operational position.
 5. The assembly as claimed inclaim 1, said baffle including a plurality of liquid flow obstructinglouvers, each of said louvers including a generally flat liquiddeflection surface, each of said deflection surfaces being disposed atan oblique angle relative to the axis and at least partially facing theventing direction when the baffle is in the operational position.
 6. Theassembly as claimed in claim 5, each of said louvers extending acrossthe vent passage in a generally arcuate path, each of said arcuate pathsdefining a generally circular arc having a center of curvature disposedon the axis, such that the arcuate paths are concentric when the coveris in the operational position.
 7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6,said deflection surface of one of said louvers being angledapproximately 45 degrees offset relative to the axis when the cover isin the operational position, said deflection surface of another one ofsaid louvers being angled approximately 10 degrees offset relative tothe axis when the cover is in the operational position.
 8. The assemblyas claimed in claim 6, adjacent ones of said plurality of louvers beingapproximately equidistantly spaced radially from one another.
 9. Theassembly as claimed in claim 8, each of said deflection surfaces beingangled approximately 30 degrees offset relative to the axis when thebaffle is in the operational position.
 10. The assembly as claimed inclaim 1, said baffle being integrally formed with the body of the coverand positioned below the body.
 11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10,said vent passage in the baffle defining the only opening for airflowthrough the cover in the venting direction when the cover is in theoperational position.
 12. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, saidbaffle including an axially projecting liquid diverting wall disposed inan overhanging relationship to the vent passage, such that accumulatedliquid flowing downwardly is diverted away from the vent passage. 13.The electric motor as claimed in claim 12, said baffle including an endwall that is generally transverse to the axis when the baffle is in theoperational position, with the liquid diverting wall projecting from theend wall, said liquid diverting wall extending along a generally arcuatepath with a center of curvature disposed below the vent passage, saidliquid diverting wall presenting lowermost terminal ends, said ventpassage being defined between the terminal ends.
 14. The assembly asclaimed in claim 1, said baffle being operably secureable to theinternal side of the endshield.